A controlled-release fertilizer includes oxidized glutathione and a release control agent, and a method produces the controlled-release fertilizer.

Provided is a plant disease control composition having a broad spectrum against various plant pathogens, and shows excellent controlling effects (synergistic controlling effects) which cannot be expected from a single component alone. The plant disease control composition includes (Group a) at least one quinoline compound represented by the formula:

##STR00001##

(wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2: an alkyl which may be substituted, an aryl which may be substituted, etc.; R.sup.3, R.sup.4: H, an alkyl which may be substituted, etc.; X: halogen, an alkyl which may be substituted, etc.; Y: halogen, alkyl, etc.; n: 0 to 4; m: 0 to 6) or a salt thereof, and at least one of fungicidal compounds selected from the group consisting of a Strobilurin series compound, a triazole series compound, etc., as effective ingredients.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for inhibiting degradation of dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) in solution. Concentrate compositions include DMTS and polar inorganic or organic solvent. The compositions can be stored in containers for at least 2 weeks at 54 C. or at least one year at room temperature and less than 50% of the DMTS degrades. The concentrate compositions can be diluted for use and combined with other components to form various solutions.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for inhibiting degradation of dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) in solution. Concentrate compositions include DMTS and polar inorganic or organic solvent. The compositions can be stored in containers for at least 2 weeks at 54 C. or at least one year at room temperature and less than 50% of the DMTS degrades. The concentrate compositions can be diluted for use and combined with other components to form various solutions.

Compositions of flame retardants and methods of enhancing char formation in a flame retardant-treated substrate. A base material is combined with a flame retardant to form the flame retardant-treated substrate. The flame retardant contains a sulfur copolymer prepared by the polymerization of sulfur monomers with organic monomers. The flame retardant can be deposited on a surface of the base material, coated on the base material, or mixed into the base material. When the flame resistant substrate is on fire, the flame retardant forms a charring layer on the flame retardant-treated substrate. The charring layer can extinguish and prevent the fire from spreading.

Compositions of flame retardants and methods of enhancing char formation in a flame retardant-treated substrate. A base material is combined with a flame retardant to form the flame retardant-treated substrate. The flame retardant contains a sulfur copolymer prepared by the polymerization of sulfur monomers with organic monomers. The flame retardant can be deposited on a surface of the base material, coated on the base material, or mixed into the base material. When the flame resistant substrate is on fire, the flame retardant forms a charring layer on the flame retardant-treated substrate. The charring layer can extinguish and prevent the fire from spreading.

A method of testing compounds for activity to inhibit germination of spores. The method includes the steps of providing bacterial, fungal, or plant spores transformed to contain and express a detectable marker, wherein the marker when expressed, is operationally linked to a spore-specific or yeast-specific protein, in a medium and under environmental conditions in which the spores will germinate, and measuring a first signal output generated by the marker prior to the spores initiating germination; contacting the spores of step (a) with a compound whose activity to inhibit germination of spores is to be measured; incubating the spores of step (b) under environmental conditions and for a time wherein spores not treated with the compound will germinate; and determining extent of germination of the spores by measuring a second signal output generated by the marker, wherein a difference between the first signal output and the second signal output is proportional to the extent of germination of the spores. Also described are compositions of matter for inhibiting spore germination in vitro and in vivo.

A method of testing compounds for activity to inhibit germination of spores. The method includes the steps of providing bacterial, fungal, or plant spores transformed to contain and express a detectable marker, wherein the marker when expressed, is operationally linked to a spore-specific or yeast-specific protein, in a medium and under environmental conditions in which the spores will germinate, and measuring a first signal output generated by the marker prior to the spores initiating germination; contacting the spores of step (a) with a compound whose activity to inhibit germination of spores is to be measured; incubating the spores of step (b) under environmental conditions and for a time wherein spores not treated with the compound will germinate; and determining extent of germination of the spores by measuring a second signal output generated by the marker, wherein a difference between the first signal output and the second signal output is proportional to the extent of germination of the spores. Also described are compositions of matter for inhibiting spore germination in vitro and in vivo.

The invention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) ##STR00001##
or a salt thereof for combating animal pests,
where the symbols and indices are defined in the specification.

The invention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I) ##STR00001##
or a salt thereof for combating animal pests,
where the symbols and indices are defined in the specification.